Despite threats and protests from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to restore feeders. And cut off electricity from the national grid, load-shedding continues for up to 22 hours in various cities across the province.With attacks on grid stations ongoing.
In Peshawar, on the instructions of MPA Fazal Elahi, protesters stormed a grid station. MNA Shandana Gulzar, MPA Samiullah, and Arbab Asim also forcibly entered two grid stations and restored electricity. The provincial Ministry of Interior has issued letters to all commissioners. And deputy commissioners, ordering them to limit load-shedding to 12 hours.
Details reveal that the 12-hour load-shedding directive from Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has not been implemented even in his city, Dera Ismail Khan. Urban areas in Pakistan have to face 15 to 18 hours of load-shedding daily. While rural areas suffer even more with power outages exceeding 18 hours a day. The long and persistent unavailability of electricity. Has made people’s lives miserable and stopped business activities. The Home Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has written letters to all commissioners and deputy commissioners on the direction of the Chief Minister after he issued a notice that it is very unfair that some parts have up to 22 hours of load-shedding.
According to reports, protests have erupted in different parts following massive power failures caused by prolonged load shedding.
Authorities informed the CM that they should take necessary measures to hold meetings between DCs and PESCO. They need to review the current situation, monitor load-shedding charts, and ensure no district faces over twelve hours of cuts, especially during Ramadan. They should restore power as soon as possible if any failures occur.
Meanwhile, in Peshawar, protesters, encouraged by PTI MPA Fazal Elahi, forcibly turned on four feeders in a grid station where losses exceeded 80%.
PTI National Assembly member Shandana Gulzar and MPAs Samiullah and Arbab Gulzar forcibly activated six feeders at Sheikh Muhammadi Grid and nine at Matani Grid Station. Shandana Gulzar also had an altercation with the grid staff. PESCO’s spokesperson stated that letters for legal action against PTI leaders have been sent to the relevant police stations. Expanded load-shedding on high-misfortune feeders is inescapable.
This ongoing crisis has severely impacted daily life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Residents struggle to cope with the prolonged power outages, which have disrupted services and commercial operations.
The conditions between local politicians and PESCO authorities further exacerbate the situation. These incidents of forced electricity restorations increased frustration and desperation among the populace. However, they also raise concerns about the rule of law and the appropriate channels for addressing grievances.
The provincial government’s efforts to mitigate the load-shedding by issuing directives to limit outages to 12 hours have yet to show tangible results. The continued power cuts, especially in Chief Minister Gandapur’s congruency, underscore the challenges in implementing these orders effectively.
The government and opposition should collaborate on finding lasting solutions to the energy crisis that has hit the province hard. Political gamesmanship and demonstrations may emphasize the need for immediate action. But they should not detract from or disrupt the long-range plans required to deal with load-shedding effectively. Source. All sides have to work together and talk constructively about whether .There is any chance of a stable power supply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
